Aquaculture Climate Change [work] -

Tropical species fare little better. Nile tilapia, the world’s most widely farmed finfish, shows optimal growth at 28-30°C. Above 32°C, feed conversion ratios plummet; at 36°C, mortality approaches 50%. With equatorial regions projected to experience an additional 2-3°C warming by 2050, tilapia farming in countries like Bangladesh, Egypt, and Indonesia will become thermally marginal or impossible.

Furthermore, "extractive" aquaculture—the farming of seaweeds and bivalves—is being hailed as a climate superhero. Seaweed absorbs massive amounts of carbon dioxide as it grows, effectively acting as a carbon sink. It requires no freshwater, no fertilizer, and no land. Bivalves act as natural filters, cleaning the water and improving local biodiversity. By integrating these species into broader food systems, we can produce nutrient-dense food while simultaneously repairing marine ecosystems. The Path to Resilience and Adaptation aquaculture climate change

Beyond heat, the ocean is undergoing a fundamental chemical shift known as ocean acidification. As seawater absorbs carbon dioxide, its pH drops. This poses an existential threat to shellfish farming. Oysters, mussels, and scallops struggle to build their calcium carbonate shells in acidic water, often leading to massive die-offs in the larval stages. For coastal communities that rely on bivalve farming, this change is not a future threat but a current economic crisis. Extreme Weather and Coastal Vulnerability Tropical species fare little better